Three jirga members declaring girl Vani arrested

MULTAN, Dec 20: Rajanpur police arrested on Saturday three members of a jirga which had decided the fate of a girl under the Vani custom four years ago.

Shamim Mai, 15, of Basti Daha in Kot Mitthan (Rajanpur), submitted an application to District Police Officer Dr Rizwan that Abdul Wahab, 52, had killed his wife some four years ago after declaring that she had illicit relations with her (Shamim’s) brother Manglu.

The nine-member jirga comprising Shamim’s father and brother, Wahab and other elders of the two families had solemnised her Nikah with Wahab to settle the matter. Shamim was only 11 at that time.

Police arrested the girl’s father and brother and Wahab when the Rasm-i-Hena of the girl was being held.

The DPO said the number of jirga members was not confirmed, but the girl told him that there were six other accused who had declared her Vani.
Source: Dawn
Date:12/21/2008